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What is a 4-core processor? The whole truth about multi-core processors

We discovered an unpleasant clock limit problem. Having reached the 3 GHz threshold, developers were faced with a significant increase in power consumption and heat dissipation of their products. The level of technology in 2004 did not allow a significant reduction in the size of transistors in a silicon crystal, and the way out of this situation was an attempt not to increase frequencies, but to increase the number of operations performed per clock cycle. Having adopted the experience of server platforms, where a multiprocessor layout had already been tested, it was decided to combine two processors on one chip.

Much time has passed since then; CPUs with two, three, four, six and even eight cores have become widely available. But the main market share is still occupied by 2 and 4-core models. AMD is trying to change the situation, but their Bulldozer architecture did not live up to expectations and budget eight-core processors are still not very popular in the world. Therefore the question iswhich is better: 2 or 4 core processor, still remains relevant.

Difference between 2 and 4 core processor

At the hardware levelthe main difference between a 2-core processor and a 4-core processor– number of functional blocks. Each core is essentially a separate CPU equipped with its own computing nodes. 2 or 4 such CPUs are interconnected by an internal high-speed bus and a common memory controller for interaction with RAM. Other functional units can also be common: most modern CPUs have individual cache memory of the first (L1) and second (L2) levels, blocks of integer calculations and floating point operations. The L3 cache, which is relatively large in size, is one and accessible to all cores. Separately, we can note the already mentioned AMD FX (as well as Athlon CPUs and A-series APUs): they have in common not only a cache memory and a controller, but also floating-point calculation units: each such module simultaneously belongs to two cores.

AMD Athlon quad-core processor diagram

From a user point of viewdifference between 2 and 4 core processoris the number of tasks that the CPU can process in one clock cycle. With the same architecture, the theoretical difference will be 2 times for 2 and 4 cores or 4 times for 2 and 8 cores, respectively. Thus, when several processes are running simultaneously, an increase in the number should entail an increase in system performance. After all, instead of 2 operations, a quad-core CPU will be able to perform four at once.

What accounts for the popularity of dual-core CPUs?

It would seem that if an increase in the number of cores entails an increase in performance, then compared to models with four, six or eight cores, dual-core processors have no chance. However, the world leader in the CPU market, Intel, annually updates its product range and releases new models with only a couple of cores (Core i3, Celeron, Pentium). And this is against the backdrop of the fact that even in smartphones and tablets, users look at such CPUs with distrust or contempt. To understand why the most popular models are processors with two cores, you should consider several key factors.

Intel Core i3 - the most popular 2-core processors for home PCs

Compatibility issue. When creating software, developers strive to ensure that it can function on both new computers and existing CPU and GPU models. Considering the range on the market, it is important to ensure that the game runs normally on both two cores and eight. The majority of all existing home PCs are equipped with a dual-core processor, so support for such computers receives the most attention.

Difficulty in parallelizing tasks. To ensure efficient use of all cores, calculations performed while the program is running should be divided into equal threads. For example, a task that can optimally use all cores by allocating one or two processes to each of them is simultaneous compression of several videos. With games it’s more difficult, since all the operations performed in them are interconnected. Despite the fact that the main work is performed by the graphics processor of the video card, it is the CPU that prepares the information for generating a 3D image. It is quite difficult to make each core process its own portion of data and then feed it to the GPU synchronously with the others. The more simultaneous computation streams need to be processed, the more difficult the implementation of the task.

Continuity of technologies. Software developers use existing developments for their new projects, which are subject to repeated modernization. In some cases, it comes to the point that such technologies go back 10-15 years. A development based on a ten-year-old project lends itself to radical reworking for ideal optimization very reluctantly, if not at all. As a result, there is an inability of the software to rationally use the hardware capabilities of the PC. Game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat, released in 2009 (during the heyday of multi-core CPUs), is built on a 2001 engine, and therefore cannot load more than one core.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. fully utilizes only one core of a 4-core CPU

The situation is the same with the popular online RPG World of Tanks: the Big World engine on which it is based was created in 2005, when multi-core CPUs were not yet perceived as the only possible development path.

World of Tanks also does not know how to distribute the load on the cores evenly

Financial difficulties. A consequence of this problem is the previous point. If you create each application from scratch, without using existing technologies, its implementation will cost enormous sums. For example, the cost of developing GTA V was more than $200 million. At the same time, some technologies were still not created “from scratch”, but were borrowed from previous projects, since the game was written for 5 platforms at once (Sony PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and One, as well as PC).

GTA V is optimized for multi-core and can evenly load the processor

All these nuances do not allow us to fully use the potential of multi-core processors in practice. The interdependence of hardware manufacturers and software developers creates a vicious circle.

Which processor is better: 2 or 4 cores

It is obvious that despite all the advantages, the potential of multi-core processors still remains unrealized. Some tasks do not know how to evenly distribute the load and work in one thread, others do this with mediocre efficiency, and only a small proportion of software fully interact with all cores. Therefore the question iswhich processor is better, 2 or 4 cores, buy, requires a careful study of the current situation.

There are products from two manufacturers on the market: Intel and AMD, which differ in their implementation features. Advanced Micro Devices traditionally focus on multi-cores, while Intel is reluctant to take such a step and increase the number of cores only if this does not lead to a decrease in specific performance per core (which is very difficult to avoid).

Increasing the number of cores reduces the final performance of each of them

As a rule, the overall theoretical and practical performance of a multi-core CPU is lower than a similar one (built on the same microarchitecture, with the same technical processor) with a single core. This is due to the fact that the cores use shared resources, and this does not have the best effect on performance. Thus, you cannot simply purchase a powerful four- or six-core processor with the expectation that it will definitely not be weaker than a dual-core processor from the same series. In some situations it will be, and it will be noticeable. An example is running old games on a computer with an eight-core AMD FX processor: FPS is sometimes lower than on a similar PC with a quad-core CPU.

Is multi-core needed today?

Does this mean that many cores are not needed? Despite the fact that the conclusion seems logical, it is not. Light everyday tasks (such as surfing the web or running multiple programs at once) respond positively to increasing the number of processor cores. It is for this reason that smartphone manufacturers focus on quantity, leaving specific performance behind. Opera (and other browsers based on the Chromium engine), Firefox launch each open tab as a separate process, respectively, the more cores, the faster the transition between tabs. File managers, office programs, players - in themselves are not resource-intensive. But if you need to frequently switch between them, a multi-core processor will improve system performance.

The Opera browser assigns a separate process to each tab

Intel is aware of this, because HuperThreading technology, which allows the core to process a second thread using unused resources, appeared back in the days of the Pentium 4. But it does not fully compensate for the lack of performance.

In Task Manager, a 2-core processor with Huper Threading appears as a 4-core processor

Game creators, meanwhile, are gradually catching up. The emergence of new generations of Sony Play Station and Microsoft Xbox consoles has stimulated developers to pay more attention to multi-core capabilities. Both consoles are based on eight-core AMD chips, so now programmers do not need to spend a lot of effort on optimization when porting a game to a PC. With the growing popularity of these consoles, those who were disappointed in purchasing the AMD FX 8xxx could breathe a sigh of relief. Multi-core processors are intensively gaining positions in the market, as can be seen in the reviews.

what is 4 x nuclear microprocessor

“Two gigs, two cores!” - this is the usual marketing slogan of many computer stores not so long ago. And, if an ordinary user could somehow answer the question of what these “two gigs” are, then regarding the second point the situation was much more deplorable. Merchants encourage you to buy 6 nuclear microprocessor, the client, fascinated by the number 6 (after all, more than 2 or 4), is in a hurry to fork out more money. Although not many of them Maybe answer, for example, the question of what constitutes 4 nuclear processor?

4 Cores or 2 Cores

What are these kernels?

There was a time when all processors were exclusively single-core. And that was quite enough. After all, all that was required was to perform specific computing tasks needed by the user right now. Over time the amount simultaneously the number of tasks to be solved has increased. The situation has worsened with the entry of PCs into the home device market. Now the user wanted to listen to music, play a game, and unpack a voluminous archive... And all this - simultaneously.

It was then that the idea arose to divide the processor into several computing units, each of which would deal only with its own task. But - at the same time! Thus, the poor device would not have to be torn between several tasks at once, moving from one to another in turn. Each computing unit would process only its own task. As a result, the computer begins to process more tasks faster simultaneously. Each such block is called a core. This is in theory. But in practice?

Divide by four.

In practice, the number of cores may turn out to be “dummy”. And that's why:

firstly, they may not be “real”, that is, logical. Roughly analogous to a hard drive, which Maybe to be alone, but physical, that is, real. And for the same price. A Maybe be divided into two logical partitions. Or four. But at the same time it costs 4 times more. Naturally, no one will buy such a hard drive. However, for some reason this is what happens here. A 6-core processor is unlikely to have all 6 full-fledged physical computing units. Most likely, they are divided into logical ones. In this case, the power of one physical core is divided among all logical ones. In reality, it turns out that less power will be allocated to perform a specific task. It’s just that sellers and catalog authors “forget” to talk about this;

secondly, not all applications can effectively interact with all kernels at once. Although programming for multi-core processors is quite common today. However, if you plan to work with obviously the most modern applications, especially in the field of 3D, you can safely buy at least a six-core processor and be confident in well-coordinated work;

Finally, we must not forget about the exchange bus. Still, the cores must actively interact with each other and exchange the necessary information if the application supports multi-cores. And if the bus thickness between them is insufficient, then all the advantages of a multi-core processor will be reduced to a minimum.

Abstracts

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“Two gigs, two cores!” - this is a typical advertising slogan of many computer stores until quite recently. And, if the average user could somehow answer the question of what these “two gigs” are, then regarding the second point the situation was much more deplorable. Sellers encourage you to buy a 6-core processor, the buyer, fascinated by the number 6 (after all, more than 2 or 4), is in a hurry to fork out a considerable price. Although few of them can answer, for example, the question, what is a 4-core processor?

What are these kernels?

There was a time when all processors were exclusively single-core. And that was quite enough. After all, all that was required was to perform specific computing tasks needed by the user right now. Over time, the number of simultaneously solved problems has increased. The situation has worsened with the entry of PCs into the home device market. Now the user wanted to listen to music, play a game, and unpack a voluminous archive... And all this at the same time.


It was then that the idea arose to divide the processor into several computing units, each of which would deal only with its own task. But - at the same time! Thus, the poor device would not have to be torn between several tasks at once, moving from one to another in turn. Each computing unit would process only its own task. As a result, the computer begins to process more tasks simultaneously more quickly. Each such block is called a core. This is in theory. But in practice?

Divide by four

In practice, the number of cores may turn out to be “dummy”. And that's why:

  • firstly, they may not be “real”, that is, logical. Roughly analogous to a hard drive, which can be one, but physical, that is, real. And for the same price. Or it can be divided into two logical sections. Or four. But at the same time it costs 4 times more. Naturally, no one will buy such a hard drive. However, for some reason this is what happens here. A 6-core processor is unlikely to have all 6 full-fledged physical computing units. Most likely, they are divided into logical ones. In this case, the power of one physical core is divided among all logical ones. In reality, it turns out that less power will be allocated to perform a specific task. It’s just that sellers and catalog authors “forget” to talk about this;

  • secondly, not all applications can effectively interact with all kernels at once. Although programming for multi-core processors is quite common today. However, if you plan to work with obviously the most modern applications, especially in the field of 3D, you can safely buy at least a six-core processor and be confident in well-coordinated work;

  • Finally, we must not forget about the exchange bus. Still, the cores must actively interact with each other and exchange the necessary information if the application supports multi-cores. And if the bus thickness between them is insufficient, then all the advantages of a multi-core processor will be reduced to a minimum.

If the purchase of a six-core device seems inevitable, then you can find a large selection of them on the website http://elmir.ua. This is one of the most significant and inexpensive online stores in Ukraine.

Probably every user with little knowledge of computers has encountered a bunch of incomprehensible characteristics when choosing a central processor: technical process, cache, socket; I turned for advice to friends and acquaintances who were competent in the matter of computer hardware. Let's look at the variety of various parameters, because the processor is the most important part of your PC, and understanding its characteristics will give you confidence in your purchase and further use.

CPU

The processor of a personal computer is a chip that is responsible for performing any operations with data and controls peripheral devices. It is contained in a special silicon package called a die. For short designation use the abbreviation - CPU(central processing unit) or CPU(from the English Central Processing Unit - central processing device). In the modern computer components market there are two competing corporations, Intel and AMD, who constantly participate in the race for the performance of new processors, constantly improving the technological process.

Technical process

Technical process is the size used in the production of processors. It determines the size of the transistor, the unit of which is nm (nanometer). Transistors, in turn, form the internal core of the CPU. The bottom line is that continuous improvement in manufacturing techniques makes it possible to reduce the size of these components. As a result, there are much more of them placed on the processor chip. This helps improve the performance of the CPU, so its parameters always indicate the technology used. For example, the Intel Core i5-760 is made using a 45 nm process technology, and the Intel Core i5-2500K is made using a 32 nm process. Based on this information, you can judge how modern the processor is and how superior it is in performance to its predecessor, but when choosing, you must also take into account a number of other parameters.

Architecture

Processors are also characterized by such a characteristic as architecture - a set of properties inherent in a whole family of processors, usually produced over many years. In other words, architecture is their organization or internal design of the CPU.

Number of Cores

Core- the most important element of the central processor. It is a part of the processor that can execute one thread of instructions. The cores differ in cache memory size, bus frequency, manufacturing technology, etc. Manufacturers assign new names to them with each subsequent technological process (for example, the AMD processor core is Zambezi, and Intel is Lynnfield). With the development of processor production technologies, it has become possible to place more than one core in one case, which significantly increases CPU performance and helps to perform several tasks simultaneously, as well as use several cores in programs. Multi-core processors will be able to quickly cope with archiving, video decoding, the operation of modern video games, etc. For example, Intel's Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processor lines, which use dual-core and quad-core CPUs, respectively. Currently, processors with 2, 3, 4 and 6 cores are widely available. A larger number of them are used in server solutions and are not required by the average PC user.

Frequency

In addition to the number of cores, performance is affected by clock frequency. The value of this characteristic reflects the performance of the CPU in the number of clock cycles (operations) per second. Another important characteristic is bus frequency(FSB - Front Side Bus) demonstrating the speed at which data is exchanged between the processor and computer peripherals. The clock frequency is proportional to the bus frequency.

Socket

In order for the future processor to be compatible with the existing motherboard when upgrading, you need to know its socket. A socket is called connector, in which the CPU is installed on the computer motherboard. The socket type is characterized by the number of legs and the processor manufacturer. Different sockets correspond to specific types of CPUs, so each socket allows the installation of a specific type of processor. Intel uses the LGA1156, LGA1366 and LGA1155 socket, while AMD uses AM2+ and AM3.

Cache

Cache- the amount of memory with a very high access speed, necessary to speed up access to data that is permanently located in memory with a slower access speed (RAM). When choosing a processor, remember that increasing the cache size has a positive effect on the performance of most applications. The CPU cache has three levels ( L1, L2 and L3), located directly on the processor core. It receives data from RAM for higher processing speed. It is also worth considering that for multi-core CPUs, the amount of first level cache memory for one core is indicated. L2 cache performs similar functions, but is slower and larger in size. If you plan to use the processor for resource-intensive tasks, then a model with a large second-level cache will be preferable, given that for multi-core processors the total L2 cache size is indicated. The most powerful processors, such as AMD Phenom, AMD Phenom II, Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, Intel Xeon, are equipped with L3 cache. The third level cache is the least fast, but it can reach 30 MB.

Energy consumption

The power consumption of a processor is closely related to its manufacturing technology. With decreasing nanometers of the technical process, increasing the number of transistors and increasing the clock frequency of processors, the power consumption of the CPU increases. For example, Intel Core i7 processors require up to 130 watts or more. The voltage supplied to the core clearly characterizes the power consumption of the processor. This parameter is especially important when choosing a CPU to use as a multimedia center. Modern processor models use various technologies that help combat excessive power consumption: built-in temperature sensors, automatic control systems for voltage and frequency of processor cores, energy-saving modes when the CPU load is light.

Additional features

Modern processors have acquired the ability to work in 2- and 3-channel modes with RAM, which significantly affects its performance, and also support a larger set of instructions, raising their functionality to a new level. GPUs process video on their own, thereby offloading the CPU, thanks to technology DXVA(from the English DirectX Video Acceleration - video acceleration by the DirectX component). Intel uses the above technology Turbo Boost to dynamically change the clock frequency of the central processor. Technology Speed ​​Step manages CPU power consumption depending on processor activity, and Intel Virtualization Technology hardware creates a virtual environment for using multiple operating systems. Also, modern processors can be divided into virtual cores using technology Hyper Threading. For example, a dual-core processor is capable of dividing the clock speed of one core into two, resulting in high processing performance using four virtual cores.

When thinking about the configuration of your future PC, do not forget about the video card and its GPU(from the English Graphics Processing Unit - graphic processing unit) - the processor of your video card, which is responsible for rendering (arithmetic operations with geometric, physical objects, etc.). The higher the frequency of its core and memory frequency, the less load on the central processor will be. Gamers should pay special attention to the GPU.

Good afternoon, dear readers of our tech blog. Today we don’t have a review, but some kind of comparison: which processor is better, 2-core or 4-core? I wonder who is performing better in 2018? Then let's get started. Let's say right away that in most cases the palm will go to a device with a large number of physical modules, but chips with 2 cores are not as simple as they seem at first glance.

Many have probably already guessed that we will be considering all the current representatives from Intel of the Pentium Coffee Lake family and the popular “hyperpen” G4560 (Kaby Lake). How relevant are the models this year and is it worth thinking about buying more productive AMD Ryzen or the same Core i3 with 4 cores.

The AMD Godavari and Bristol Ridge family is deliberately not considered for one simple reason - it does not have any further potential, and the platform itself turned out to be not the most successful as might have been expected.

Often these solutions are bought either out of ignorance or “as a spare” as some kind of the cheapest assembly for the Internet and online films. But we are not particularly happy with this state of affairs.

Differences between 2-core chips and 4-core ones

Let's look at the main points that distinguish the first category of chips from the second. At the hardware level, you can notice that only the number of computational units differs. In other cases, the cores are united by a high-speed data exchange bus and a common memory controller for efficient and efficient work with RAM.

Often, the L1 cache of each core is an individual value, but L2 can either be the same for all, or also individual for each block. However, in this case, the L3 cache is additionally used.

In theory, 4-core solutions should be 2 times faster and more powerful, since they perform 100% more operations per clock cycle (let’s take the identical frequency, cache, technical process and all other parameters as a basis). But in practice the situation changes in a completely non-linear way.

But here it is worth paying tribute: in multi-threading, the whole essence of 4 cores is fully revealed.

Why are dual-core processors still popular?

If you look at the mobile electronics segment, you will notice the dominance of 6–8 nuclear chips, which look as organic as possible and are loaded in parallel when performing all tasks. Why is that? Android and iOS OS are fairly young systems with a high level of competition, and therefore optimization of each application is the key to successful device sales.

The situation is different in the PC industry and here's why:

Compatibility. When developing any software, developers strive to please both new and old audiences with weak hardware. There is a greater emphasis on 2-core processors at the expense of support for 8-core processors.

Parallelization of tasks. Despite the dominance of technology in 2018, getting a program to work with multiple CPU cores and threads in parallel is still not easy. If we are talking about calculating several completely different applications, then there are no questions, but when it comes to calculations within one program, it’s even worse: you have to regularly calculate completely different information, while not forgetting about the success of the tasks and the absence of errors in the calculations.

In games, the situation is even more interesting, since it is almost impossible to divide volumes of information into equal “shares”. As a result, we get the following picture: one computing unit is working at 100%, the remaining 3 are waiting their turn.

Continuity. Each new solution is based on previous developments. Writing code from scratch is not only expensive, but also often unprofitable for the development center, since “this is enough for people, but users of 2-core chips are still the lion’s share.”

Take for example many cult projects like Lineage 2, AION, World of Tanks. All of them were created on the basis of ancient engines, which are capable of adequately loading only one physical core, and therefore here the main role in calculations is played only by the frequency of the chip.
Financing. Not everyone can afford to create a completely new product, designed for not 4.8, 16 threads. It is too expensive, and in most cases unjustified. Take, for example, the same cult GTA V, which can easily “eat” 12 and 16 threads, not to mention cores.

The cost of its development exceeded a good 200 million dollars, which in itself is already very expensive. Yes, the game was successful because Rockstar's credibility among players was enormous. What if it was a young startup? Now you understand everything yourself.

Do you need multi-core processors?

Let's look at the situation from the point of view of a simple layman. Most users need 2 cores for the following reasons:

  • low needs;
  • most applications work stably;
  • games are not the main priority;
  • low assembly cost;
  • the processors themselves are cheap;
  • the majority buy ready-made solutions;
  • some users have no idea what they are being sold in stores and feel great.

Is it possible to play on 2 cores? Yes, no problem, as the Intel Core i3 line up to the 7th generation has successfully proven for several years. Also very popular were Pentium Kaby Lake, which for the first time in history introduced support for Hyper Threading.
Is it worth buying 2 cores now, even with 4 threads? Exclusively for office tasks. The era of these chips is gradually passing, and manufacturers have begun to switch en masse to 4 full-fledged physical cores, and therefore you should not consider the same Pentium and Core i3 Kaby Lake in the long term. AMD completely abandoned 2-core processors.